19-Days Balkan Grand Circle

Upon arrival in Belgrade, transfer to your hotel in New Belgrade. After check-in, take some time to rest and prepare for your trip. In the evening, you will meet your guide for an introduction to the journey. Head out to explore the historic quarter of Skadarlija, known for its traditional eateries and charming ambiance and settle in for your night in Belgrade

Today, you’ll uncover the history of Belgrade at the Museum of Yugoslav History and the magnificent Temple of Saint Sava. You’ll explore Slavija Square, Saint Mark’s Church, and the Serbian National Parliament, as well as the famed Knez Mihailo Street, and the awe-inspiring Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress. The rest of the day is free for you to further explore the city.

Today, you’ll be exploring Vojvodina, where you’ll visit the well-preserved Krušedol Monastery and have the chance to purchase wine and rakija made by the resident monks. Your journey will take you to Sremski Karlovci, a cultural gem with a Baroque center and renowned wineries for a wine tasting and exploration of the town’s rich history. Then, you’ll head to Novi Sad, the 2021 European Capital of Culture, and enjoy a sightseeing tour, including landmarks like the City Hall and Petrovaradin Fortress. In the evening, you’ll return to Belgrade.

Your day begins with a border crossing to Romania. Your first stop will be Timișoara, known as ‘Little Vienna’ for its architecture and multicultural influences. Explore Unirii Square, visit the Catholic Cathedral of Saint George, and discover Liberty Square and Victory Square. Afterwards, you’ll head to Sibiu, the European Capital of Culture in 2007. Here, you’ll check into the hotel and end your day exploring Sibiu’s rich history, including the Brukenthal National Museum and iconic landmarks such as the Large Square, Council Tower, and Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity inspired by Hagia Sofia.

After breakfast, your journey takes you to Sighișoara, a charming town in Transylvania with a rich history dating back to the 1100s. Here, you can explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and notable landmarks such as the Clock Tower, and Vlad Dracula’s birthplace. Afterwards, you’ll move on to Sinaia, the “Pearl of the Carpathians”, where you’ll spend the night.

Today starts with a visit to the Peleș Castle, the 160-rooms-large royal family’s summer residence nestled within the Carpathian Mountains. Afterwards, the tour continues to Brașov, a medieval city founded by the Teutonic Knights, with notable sites like the House of Council and Biserica Neagră (the Black Church). Then it’s time to head to Bran Castle, known as Dracula’s Castle and former Romanian royal residence. Built in the 13th century, its gothic fortress evokes Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” and the legend of Vlad the Impaler, the castle’s presumed prisoner. As the day comes to an end, you’ll return to Sinaia for the night.

As you’ll make your way towards Bucharest today, you will also be exploring the incredible gifts of the Carpathians. Today’s journey will take you through the expansive wine region of Dealu Mare, where you’ll have the chance to try the most prestigious wines produced in the Romanian Carpathians. After a delicious tasting, your day will conclude in Bucharest, Romania’s iconic capital.

After breakfast, you’ll head on a sightseeing tour of Bucharest, known as “Little Paris” for its Belle Époque buildings and blend of French, Byzantine, and communist architecture. You will start at Piața Unirii, offering views of the Palace of the Parliament, the world’s second-largest building and then venture to the medieval Old Town, exploring the Old Princely Court, Stavropoleos Monastery, Lipscani Street, and the National Museum of Romanian History. In the afternoon, you can explore the city at your own pace, enjoy dinner and Țuică, Romania’s national plum drink, and immerse yourself in Bucharest’s unique charm and energy.

In the morning, it’s time to head to Bulgaria. Your exploration will begin in Veliko Tarnovo, the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, known for its winding streets, architectural masterpieces, and craftsmen’s guild. Its prime attraction is the Tsarevets Fortress, an awe-inspiring creation of humanity. Afterwards, the day will take you to Arbanasi, an architectural reserve and open-air museum with 80 houses retaining original Ottoman design. You will get the chance to spend the night in a 17th century han, fully immersing yourself in the region’s history.

Exploration of Sofia’s ambiance is on the schedule today. You’ll visit significant landmarks like the grand Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the colorful Church of Saint Nicholas the Miracle-Maker, the cultural cornerstone Ivan Vazov National Theatre, and the 4th-century Church of Saint George. The sight of the iconic Sofia Synagogue will mesmerize you, and the tour of the city’s multicultural history will be complete with a stop by Largo, a Socialist Classicism architectural landmark. The afternoon will be spent at your own leisure.

After breakfast, you’ll head to Niš in Serbia’s eastern region, known as the birthplace of Emperor Constantine the Great, and a cultural crossroad. You’ll take a tour of Niš, visiting globally significant sights, the strange Skull Tower composed of 952 human skulls, and the best-preserved Turkish fortress, Niš Fortress. In the Tinker’s Alley, you will get to sample incredible local cuisine like ćevapi and sarma before making your way back to Belgrade in the evening.

In the morning, you’ll say goodbye to Belgrade and head south to Oplenac, the final resting place of the Karađorđević royal family. You’ll listen to Serbia’s fascinating history with a glass of wine in your hands as this region is often referred to as “Serbia’s Tuscany”. Visiting the mesmerizing wineries, you’ll get an authentic taste of Serbian wine-making heritage. After you’ve soaked up the history (and delicious wine), you’ll make your way on to Zlatibor Mountain for a leisurely stroll through the charming town center. Prepare a delightful dinner featuring Serbian cuisine at a traditional kafana and settle in for the night.

Today, the journey will take you across the border to Bosnia, to the ethno village Drvengrad (Wooden-Town), a village constructed from natural materials by a film director Emir Kusturica and has hosted celebrities such as Monica Bellucci and Johnny Depp. Moving on, you’ll visit another one of his creations: Andrićgrad (Stone-Town), a town named after a Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andrić. Today’s exploration will conclude in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

After a delicious burek for breakfast, you’ll head on to explore Bosnia’s capital. From the Vječna Vatra (Eternal Flame) memorial commemorating WWII liberation to Catholic, Orthodox and Islamic cultural influences depicted across the city, you will get to the heart of this diverse country. Not to mention the culinary delights you’ll encounter in Baščaršija, home to the world-renowned ćevapi! The day’s adventures will culminate in a delicious baklava for dessert, and after that you’ll have the rest of the afternoon to explore the city and its vibrant coffee culture at your own pace.

It’s time to say goodbye to Sarajevo and head to Mostar. One of the most picturesque destinations in the Balkans, the town’s UNESCO-protected Old Bridge will undoubtedly take your breath away and provide the perfect backdrop to a delicious lunch. You’ll get to test your copper modeling skills before continuing to Blagaj, a fairytale town on the shores of Buna river, before ending the day in Trebinje, where you’ll visit the Arslanagića Bridge and Poet’s Square before settling in for the night.

In the morning, you’ll have one last chance to explore Trebinje’s vibrant market scene. Afterwards, you’ll move on to Montenegro and its famed Bay of Kotor, stopping in Perast and visiting Our Lady of the Rocks island. Here, you’ll head on a walking tour, discover UNESCO-listed sites, and still have plenty of free time to explore the old town. The day will end in Dubrovnik, checking in at the hotel. Enjoy a relaxing evening, take a stroll along Stradun and indulge in a delightful dinner in the romantic atmosphere of the city.

Best known for being a shooting location for the iconic Game of Thrones series, this “Pearl of the Adriatic” has many hidden streets for you to explore. You’ll get to explore its bustling streets, including Stradun (the main street), and several squares, as well as head up to the City Walls to marvel at Dubrovnik from above. Its picturesque port is another highlight, but nothing beats a sunset cruise on the Karaka, a replica of a traditional wooden galleon.

Your Balkan adventure has come to its end. Depending on your departure time, you can take one last stroll through Dubrovnik‘s cobbled streets, indulge in one last burek or find a trinket or two to take home with you and serve as an immortal reminder of your incredible time exploring the Balkans.